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12 Reasons and Ways to Help the World’s Oceans

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Emma Gallagher is a Brit living in North Carolina. She grows organic gardens and... Read More

Sea turtle entangled in discarded fishing net

It’s no news that our oceans are rapidly beginning to resemble the trash heaps we humans have created on land. To say that this plastic ocean litter is having a negative impact is an understatement.

There are many initiatives around the globe dedicated to helping clear and reduce the amount of plastic that is already infesting our oceans, and a lot needs to be done to keep it from there in the finest place.

Here are a bunch of OGP articles that highlight the horror of trash in the oceans as well as ways and reasons to help, too.

1. Plastic Credits

In the global battle against plastic pollution, a promising solution is emerging: plastic credits. Similar to carbon credits, these credits aim to mitigate plastic waste, particularly in our oceans. However, experts caution that this initiative could lead to greenwashing if not carefully managed. This article explores the question Can Plastic Credits Turn the Tide on Ocean Pollution?

2. Ocean and Your Health

Doctors have shared that there is a growing body of scientific evidence showing that these feelings are based on fact. The use of salt water for healing can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and is known as thalassotherapy. Skin conditions and inflammatory diseases may see results from thalassotherapy according to a scientific review published in 2021. Trace elements including potassium, magnesium, and calcium may be absorbed through the skin when swimming or near the ocean. Learn more about how Being Near the Ocean Actually Does Make You Feel Better, Doctors Say.

3. Sharks

Every summer, America turns its attention towards the sea, and more specifically, the sharks that inhabit it. This year, there seems to be an increase in shark sightings, but contrary to popular fear, this might be a cause for celebration rather than alarm. Experts suggest that the rise in shark sightings indicates a revival of shark populations that had been on a dramatic decline due to overfishing and habitat destruction. Now, thanks to various Conservation efforts put in place over the last few decades, these magnificent creatures are making a steady comeback. According to Dr. Bob Hueter, chief scientist for OCEARCH, this is a sign of ecological balance being restored in our oceans. Read on to learn more about Why More Sharks are a Sign of Healthier Oceans.

4. Plastic Hotspots

Seabirds, particularly threatened species, are spending significant periods foraging for food around floating garbage patches in the ocean. This worrying discovery from a major study emphasizes the urgent need for global action against plastic Pollution. The research, which utilized tracking data from over 7,000 birds and information on plastic pollution locations, calculated the plastic exposure risk for 77 species of petrel, a family of migratory seabirds. Shockingly, a quarter of all plastic exposure for these birds occurs beyond national jurisdictions, primarily at colossal floating garbage patches like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Find out why Oceanic Plastic Hotspots Are a Grave Threat to Vulnerable Seabirds.

5. Biodegradable Plastics

As the plastic Pollution problem continues to grow, many are turning to biodegradable alternatives in the hopes of a greener solution. However, recent research suggests that these “environmentally friendly” plastics might not be as green as they seem. Biodegradable plastics, also known as bioplastics, are created from natural materials like cornstarch and sugarcane, seemingly providing a solution to the growing plastic pollution problem. They are increasingly popular, even among big corporations like Coca-Cola, which recently introduced a “100% plant-based” bioplastic bottle. Learn more about why Biodegradable Plastics Don’t Actually Break Down in the Ocean

6. Oceanic White Spots

Have you ever heard of “whiting” events in the ocean? These patches of white water have been observed for nearly a century, but scientists still don’t know the exact cause of this phenomenon. A new study based on satellite observations has revealed a mysterious increase in whiting events over the past decade, with peak occurrences in 2015. But what is causing these white spots to appear, and why have they been increasing in recent years? To find out, read Mysterious White Spots Appearing in the Ocean.

7. Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in diameter. This makes them extremely hard to clean up but these little pieces are harming our ecosystems and processes like the biological carbon pump. The biological carbon pump is responsible for sequestering up to 12 billion metric tons of carbon at the bottom of the ocean each year. Without this system, scientists fear that atmospheric CO2 concentrations will continue to rise. Learn how Microplastics are Disrupting the Ocean’s Biological Carbon Pump.

8. 10 Helpful Actions

Marine life is currently under attack from all sides by plastic. From plastic in the form of large plastic bags and 2-liter soda bottles to tiny microplastics, our oceans are inundated with the stuff. It’s turning up on shorelines, in the stomachs of ocean life, and as giant patches, thousands of miles removed from civilization. If you feel moved to help fight the plastic plague, check out these 10 Simple Actions That Just Might Save Our World’s Oceans From Plastic.

9. Floating Farms

In recent years, wild-caught and farm-raised has become a distinction between various types of fish found in the grocery store, but can most frequently be seen attached to salmon. The average American consumes two pounds of salmon a year, around two-thirds of which comes from farmed sources in China, Norway, and Canada. While wild-caught is largely self-explanatory, what exactly does farm-raised mean in the context of fish, mainly salmon? Read on to find out why We’re Turning the Oceans Into Floating Farms – All For One Unnecessary Reason.

1o. Oceanic Warming

According to NASA, 2016 was the hottest year on record around the globe, and while Climate change has been a concern of environmentalists and scientists for decades, lately it’s been getting more attention than ever. But climate change is about more than having an unusually warm winter or an early spring. Those rising temperatures have an impact on our entire planet and its inhabitants, both on land and in our oceans. Take a look at How the Warming of Our Oceans is Impacting Marine Animals.

11. Oceanic Plastic and Human Health

Aside from the environmental consequences of our plastic addiction, the impact of ocean plastics on human health is also of grave concern. After being ingested by fish and other marine species, microplastics end up in our food chain where they are biomagnified, posing a significant risk to human health. Find out more about The Troubling Impact of Ocean Plastics on Human Health.

12. Do Something!

The first plastic sandwich bags were introduced in 1957. Nine years later, plastic produce bags were rolled out in grocery stores. It took three decades before the recycling of plastic bags began in 1990, but by 1996 four out of every five grocery bags in the United States were single-use polyethylene plastic bags. Turn the corner to 2008 and more than 102 billion plastic bags were used in the United States alone. Take action and find out how and Why We Need to Wake Up and Do Something to Tackle Plastic Pollution in the Oceans.